Disassembly of M1 garand

H

Homerboy

Moderator
Have a CMP Service Grade M1 on the way. Ordered an HRA M1 about 2 weeks ago and got a call today from CMP. HRA's are way backordered, but they can ship me a Springfield Service Grade within a few weeks. I'm excited, but nervous.

I've been watching videos on disassembly and it looks difficult. I figure it's gonna be coated in cosmoline so a full strip is required to clean it out How hard is it? I always learn better doing something rather than watching, but nobody I know has a Garand.

So what's the deal? Am I gonna regret this purchase?
 
If they could teach Private Pile to fully disassemble an M1 and put it together blindfolded, you can learn.

Here's a site with both video and photos showing disassembly.

http://web.archive.org/web/20110427085548/http://www.surplusrifle.com/garand/index.asp

Here's a site with all the Ordnance and Field manuals on the M1.
NOTE: the info at the top of the page on what pass word and user ID to use to get in.
The Field and Ordnance manuals show full disassembly.

http://www.biggerhammer.net/manuals/

If you want want even better, buy the Jerry Kuhhansen SHop Manual on the M1 and M14. This shows 100% disassembly of everything and how to check everything out. NONE of the manual is reprints of the Field manuals, it's all new information.
This is the most information on the M1 there is is in one place, and shows everything from full disassembly and parts replacement to full National Match accurizing.

http://www.brownells.com/books-vide...d-service-rifles-a-shop-manual-prod25718.aspx

One thing I do recommend is to buy a M3-A1 Combination Tool. This is a tool that's used to do all disassembly and adjusting of the M1.
With the tool you tension the rear sight, extract a stuck case, remove and install the gas cylinder lock screw, clean the chamber, and disassemble and reassemble the bolt while it's IN or OUT of the rifle. (It's much easier if you do it IN the rifle).
The M3-A1 Tool is THE M1 tool to have and makes everything much easier.
You can buy the M3-A1 Combination Tool from many surplus sources.
 
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Thanks. I'm excited to get it, but nervous about breaking it down past a basis field strip. While Private Pile learned, he had a drill instructor walking him through it in person. Looking at videos never really did it for me, but I guess I can learn.

As for cosmo removal, I plan to submerge the parts into a basin of boiling water. I read cosmoline melts at 130 degrees. Buy a PVC pipe and two caps for the barrel and do the same with that. Blow out with compressed air, oil, and reassemble.
 
If you regret your purchase you just ship it to me C/O this forum.
Yes, Private Pile had the DI looking over his shoulder, but the DI had 30-40other recruits to deal with, Army training- in my case-was very much a step by step process. And John Garand did a superb job of designing a rifle that could be field stripped without tools.
 
You will probably be surprised at how little cosmoline the CMP rifles have on them. My service grade needed very little cleaning. A Boyd walnut stock will really make your rifle look sharp.
 
Your CMP Garand will not be coated in cosmoline. It will come with a nice little booklet that will walk you through disassembling and cleaning (and reassembling) the rifle. It is marked "Read this First" or something close to that.

Go to http://www.civilianmarksmanship.com/detailstrip.html for good instructions about detail stripping the Garand. Link on left side of page to field stripping - http://www.civilianmarksmanship.com/fieldstrip.html

You are about to be really, really pleased with your decision.

Have fun!
 
This why God created YouTube.... :D

Google < garand disassembly youtube > and you will see it all -- pages & pages -- more than ever needed to be totally comfortable.

(Note: Once out of the gun, don't take the trigger assembly apart -- no need (probably ever)
 
FWIW, GIs were NOT permitted to disassemble the trigger housing group or the rear sight group or to remove the front sight, stock bands, or butt plate. I suggest sticking to that rule at least until you can obtain good instructions on going further than soldiers were allowed to.

Jim
 
If you think taking a Garand apart is hard you better not buy it or better send it to me... They are simple to disasemble and clean. Even before You Tube soldiers in WWII and Korea could maintain the rifle.
 
Even if rifle is completely free of protective grease (its not cosmo) you need to do a complete tear down clean and then properly grease the rifle
 
Complete tear down beyond the field strip in the manual? I thought CMP did a complete inspection of the guns before they shipped them.
 
They check headspace and test fire they do not do normal maintanace. Many rifles are shipped dry, no lubrication at all, some are shiped greasy. They all need a detail strip/clean and proper lubrication (grease)
 
The M1 is easy to field strip, and re-assemble. I haven't got one from CMP in a while, but they use to send a reprint of the maintenance manual with the rifle.

I doubt you'll need to clean the cosmosline off, but you'll want to strip, clean and grease it anyway.

You don't have to worry about checking the headspace, the CMP wont let it out of their stores with bad head space.

You might consider buying Hatcher's "Book of the Garand" it gives the history, maintenance and trouble shooting guide. Plus it being used in Combat and Competition, plus info about ammo.

It's a must have companion for the Garand.
 
Dropped the order form and documents into the mail on Thursday 9/5/13. Ordered a Service Grade HRA M1. Got a call from CMP (never got the DBU letter) on Friday, 9/13/13, asking me to call back. Called on Monday, 9/16 and spoke to Melissa at the CMP. Told me HRA's were on backorder but they could give me a Springfield Service Grade much faster. I said OK. Got an email today, 9/17/13 that my gun had shipped, and delivery will be tomorrow, 9/18! 13 days from when I mailed it, probably 10 days after they got my order, an M1 will be on my doorstep.

I figured I would see it in March. What a shocker. Ammo and en block clips I ordered won't be shipping tomorrow, though. But I can wait to shoot it. Can't wait to actually hold it! Wife will be at work tomorrow till 4. I'm gonna leave a note on the door telling fed ex to come back after 4, or else I'll be taking the day off Thursday to be here to sign for it.
 
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